A Racy Photo Scandal—With A Twist

Another—oh wait, three more—beauty pageant contestants are under fire for having risqué pictures in their past. It's a story we've heard over and over again through the years ever since Vanessa Williams resigned her Miss America crown after Penthouse published some racy (and unauthorized) photos of her in 1984. But here's the thing: This scandal didn't happen in the United States, but Italy.

Yes, Italy. Home to Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's "bunga bunga" sex parties and television game shows that feature stripping and whatever this girl on a swing is doing. (Oh, BTW—Berlusconi's investment company controls the three major TV stations.) So given that context, it's a little strange that these contestants' authorized photos—which are only as nude as a Victoria's Secret catalog—would be reason to kick them out of the competition. Granted one pose is in poor taste.

That said, the Miss Italy pageant has been around since 1939 and the organization certainly has the right to maintain it's own rules and traditions. Some may find it refreshing that they've banned scandalous poses and clothes in a media culture that's so saturated with both. Others might believe the banning itself is just a publicity stunt by the pageant ("See, we're different!") or the ousted women ("I'm still going to be famous!") or both. What's your take? Do you think these contestants should have been banned over their suggestive photos?